While a hard-luck life brought Eastwood to the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society this past winter, he was grateful for his rescue. Born with eye and mobility issues, Eastwood then faced a new challenge in attracting potential adoptive families, but shelter staff loved him all the same.

After the conclusion of the Empty the Shelters adoption event held in Michigan in late April, Eastwood was, sadly, left the sole unclaimed animal. But before long, his story and forlorn face were showing up on social media feeds across the nation. Eastwood’s popularity attracted 80 applicants, all hoping to take the lovable labrador home.

“There are many, many worthy, wonderful homes out there, so we are carefully reviewing each application and will let everyone know when we’ve selected Eastwood’s new, forever home!” the Humane Society posted on Facebook.

And then a decision was made.

“After careful thought and consideration, we are thrilled to announce that Eastwood now has a forever home!” LTBHS wrote. “This was a VERY difficult decision. We reviewed over 80 adoption applications today, and while there were countless families who would have given Eastwood an amazing home, one stood out above the rest.”

While Eastwood’s eyesight may never return to 100 percent, a veterinarian at the Humane Society was able to help restore a majority of it. And issues with his back leg may be taken care of in the future with surgery.

Eastwood’s adoption has encouraged many others on social media to understand a little more about the importance of adopting animals with special needs. And it’s not hard to believe, seeing a furry face like his.

LTBHS is hoping the same encouragement will spread to many more.

“We encourage everyone who was interested in adopting Eastwood to consider opening your heart and home to another shelter animal in need-there are so many out there just looking for a family to love them,” the Humane Society posted. “They may not all have celebrity-status, but they have a lot of love and affection to give, which is the most important thing!”

Find the original story on Eastwood’s plight after being left unadopted after the Empty the Shelters event below.

Lost in a winter storm and nearly blind, Eastwood was lucky enough to be rescued by the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society months ago. Since then, he’s had trouble finding any luck at all.

Eastwood was born with several serious physical issues that a veterinarian could have remedied when he was born but now need more attention. According to Mlive, his vision is impaired, and one of his rear legs is restricted by a genetic defect. Those issues have led many visitors to the LTBHS to pass Eastwood by when looking for a new furry friend to adopt.

This left-behind labrador retriever mix was given a glimmer of hope late last month, however. As a dog in one of the shelters that participated in Bissell’s “Empty the Shelters” event on Saturday, April 29, the likelihood of Eastwood being adopted out was quite high. Previous events have seen more than 2,000 animals taken into loving forever homes, and, in this year’s event, more than 1,500 animals were adopted.

But no one took Eastwood home. In fact, he was the only dog in the entire event that wasn’t picked up by a new family.

“Poor Eastwood is so lonely now that all of his pals have been adopted!” said LTBHS staff on Facebook. “Eastwood is the only dog left at the shelter after Empty the Shelters on Saturday, but we know the perfect home is out there somewhere. This amazing boy has a few health issues that need to be addressed (which is why we think he was abandoned initially, poor guy!), but this boy is so sweet, we know it will be well worth it.”

The LTBHS veterinarian doesn’t think surgery on Eastwood’s leg is crucial at this point, but the dog’s future owners may want to look into the operation in the future. According to Up North Live, that time may come sooner rather than later, as the shelter has already started receiving requests to adopt Eastwood.

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